A two-year, full-time, 45 or 60 credit-hour program, the Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare students to provide mental health services in community-based, residential, or in-patient settings. Students may also prepare for further training at the doctoral level. Students are trained in clinical assessment, psychological testing, the diagnosis of mental disorders, treatment planning, individual and group interventions, research design and statistical analysis, and program evaluation. For students planning to pursue licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in Rhode Island, the course of study will be for three years and will require 12 credits hours of practicum and a year of internship.
Academic Program
The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology curriculum is arranged along three tracks: (1) Practitioner/General-Clinical, 60 credit hours (for students seeking specialized training in clinical psychology prior to entering the work force as a master’s level counselor); (2) Practitioner/Forensic Track, 60 credit hours (for students seeking training in forensic psychology to prepare for clinical practice as a master’s level counselor in a forensic mental health setting); (3) Thesis, 45 credit hours (for students seeking master’s level research training in preparation for future study toward a doctoral degree in clinical psychology).
In the 60-credit practitioner track, the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology prepares students for careers as licensed mental health counselors in general clinical or forensic mental health settings. In the 45-credit thesis track, the program prepares students for further academic training at the doctoral level in clinical psychology. In addition, the Master of Arts prepares students with training in research design, clinical assessment and intervention. The program also provides students internship/practicum experiences that will promote and develop professional skills in clinical or forensic psychology.
Applying to the Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Counseling
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in Psychology or related field, and must have satisfactorily completed undergraduate courses in Statistics and Research Methods. Students are required to apply for a specific track on their application. To apply, applicants must submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admission:
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records
- Statement of Purpose (two double-spaced pages maximum) describing your interest in clinical psychology, career goals, and how you can positively contribute to the graduate program at Roger Williams University
- Official report of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores sent directly by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The ETS School Code for Roger Williams University is 3729
- Three letters of recommendation attesting to your academic accomplishments and potential to succeed in graduate school
- If applicant’s first language is not English, an official report of TOEFL or IELTS results
- Completed application form accompanied by the $50 application fee
Applications are accepted for Fall start only; the application deadline is March 15th.
Forensic Track (60 credits)
The course curriculum in the Forensic track includes specialized courses in Forensic Psychology, Law and Psychology, and Forensic Assessment with adults and/or children. Students then select three electives within clinical psychology. Finally, students take six credits of Practicum and six credits of Internship for a minimum of 60 credits.
Internships and practicums are available at a variety of forensic sites including court clinics, sex offender treatment programs within secure correctional setting, juvenile detention and treatment facilities, and community-based mental health settings working with persons with mental disorders who are involved with the criminal justice system. Clinical training is provided in the areas of risk assessment, diagnostic assessments, treatment and risk management planning, individual and group psychotherapy, sex offender treatment and risk reduction, and reentry planning and community services for juvenile and adult offenders.
